c4

The children were left out of these conversations, unable to understand a single word unless their father allowed it. It was a strange and isolating experience to be so close to a culture yet so far removed from it.

Her mother's gentle voice echoed in her ears as she felt a soft touch on her hair. "Anyways, come down and eat with us, dear; dinner is ready," she said with a loving smile. The sweet scent of the food wafted up the stairs, making her stomach grumble with hunger.

She slowly got up from bed, feeling the day's weight on her shoulders. As she made her way down the stairs, she could hear the sound of her family's chatter and laughter, filling the house with warmth and joy. She couldn't help but smile, grateful for the love and comfort surrounding her.

As soon as my mother rose from her slumber and departed, I trailed after her down the stairs.

Mark's cheerful greeting caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. It wasn't until I felt a twinge of annoyance that I realized what had happened. "Hey, Lily, what happened?" he asked again, sounding upbeat. She looked at him with concern etched on her face.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice soft and gentle. He nodded, but she could see the pain in his eyes. She reached out and took his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to pretend with me," she said. "I'm here for you." He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I know," he said. "It's just been a tough day." She nodded, understanding. "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked. He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah," he said. "I think I do." And so they sat there, hand in hand, as he poured out his heart to her.

She listened, offering comfort and support until he finally felt like he could breathe again.

"Thank you," he said, looking at her with gratitude. "I don't know what I'd do without you." She smiled at him, her eyes shining with love.

"You'll never have to find out," she said. "I'll always be here for you." As I stood there, lost in thought, she suddenly appeared before me and warmly wrapped her arms around me.

With a healthy smile, I settled down at the table. My brothers all turned to look at me with concern, but I replied, "Nothing, just a long day." As I lounged on the couch, my eyes fixed on the room's entrance. My father strolled in, his gait light and effortless. I observed him with a sense of ease; my mind unburdened by any pressing thoughts or concerns.

As the evening sun began to set, we gathered around the table, eager to share the events of our day.

The aroma of freshly cooked food wafted through the air, making our mouths water in anticipation. We laughed and chatted, recounting the highs and lows of our daily experiences. It was a simple moment but one that brought us all together in a warm and comforting way. As we savored each bite of our meal, we felt grateful for the company and the sense of community that came with it. Darryl turned to Lily and asked, "How was your day?" Lily looked up from her phone and smiled.

"It was good; thanks for asking," she replied. Darryl nodded, taking a sip of his coffee. The two sat in comfortable silence for a moment, enjoying the peaceful ambiance of the coffee shop. As my father cut into his steak, his eyes bore into mine with a stern warning. "Don't you dare tell them," he said, his voice low and serious.

I felt my heart racing as I tried to decipher his meaning. What was so important that I couldn't share it with anyone? The tension at the dinner table was palpable as we continued to eat in silence, my mind racing with questions and possibilities.

With a slight smile, I calmly declared, "Boring," before clumsily slicing into my steak. As I entered the room, all eyes turned toward me, but I paid them no mind and pressed on with my words.

The room fell silent as my father's voice boomed across the table. "I have an announcement," he declared, echoing off the walls. In an instant, all eyes were on him, waiting with bated breath to hear what he had to say.

A hush fell over my brothers when my father's stern decree was issued. It was just one of many rules he had imposed upon us, and we knew better than to disobey. Silence reigned in the room, broken only by our collective breathing.

He spoke commandingly, causing her to pause in her tracks. "Stop what you're doing as soon as I start talking and pay attention," he instructed firmly. She turned to face him, her eyes meeting his with curiosity and apprehension.

He stood tall; his eyes locked onto hers, unwavering. "Your sister is getting married soon," he repeated firmly. Mark's face contorted with anger, his brows furrowing and his jaw clenching. Without warning, he erupted into a fit of rage.

Mark's body tensed as he sprang up from his seat, his eyes blazing with anger. "Surely," he exclaimed, "you can't be allowing this?" His voice was sharp and frustrated as if he couldn't believe what he heard.

Mark's heart raced as he watched my father's lips curl into a sneer. My father spat in Mark's direction without warning, causing him to flinch and recoil in fear. Mark hesitantly sat back down, his eyes darting nervously around the room. My father's voice boomed through the silence: "Sit down, boy, I haven't finished speaking."

He spoke with a commanding tone, his eyes fixed on hers. "Respect my orders," he said firmly, "and don't dispute them." She could feel the weight of his authority bearing down on her, and she knew better than to challenge him. She acquiesced to his demand with a nod, silently acknowledging his power over her.

My father's voice reverberated through the room, filling every corner with its weight. "It was my decision," he declared firmly, his words hanging like a heavy curtain. I stood there, frozen, unsure of how to respond. The truth of his statement was undeniable, yet I couldn't help but feel a sense of betrayal.